00:00A war of words has escalated between President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV
00:05after the pontiff pushed back against criticism over the U.S.-Israel war in Iran.
00:11The Pope reaffirmed that the Vatican's calls for peace and reconciliation are grounded in gospel teaching,
00:17while also making clear he's not intimidated by the administration.
00:21I basically said that the message of the church, my message, the message of the gospel,
00:27blessed are the peacemakers.
00:30I do not look at my role as being a political politician.
00:34I don't want to get into a debate with him.
00:37I don't think that the message of the gospel is meant to be abused in the way that some people
00:42are doing.
00:43And I will continue to speak out loud against war, looking to promote peace,
00:48promoting dialogue in multilateral relationships among the states, to look for just solutions and problems.
00:55Too many people are suffering in the world today.
00:57Too many innocent people are being killed.
00:59And I think someone has to stand up and say there's a better way to do this.
01:03Thank you very much for the comment. Thank you.
01:05The Pope has stressed his message was not aimed at Trump, framing it instead as a broader appeal for peace.
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